For a long while we have noticed an annoying trend in many restaurants. An increasing number have a no-water policy: They do not serve free water to diners even when requested. Instead, we have to buy their bottled water. Not only is the bottled water overpriced, the bottles are eco-unfriendly as well. We find this practice highly unacceptable.
Therefore, we are compiling a list of restaurants that refuse to serve free water. If you have come across any, please let us know in the comments and it would be added to the list.
Please do not submit hawker stalls, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, food kiosks/carts. Please also state the outlet location and indicate if there is no service charge.
- Ajisen Classic Ramen (Changi Airport T3) – reader’s contribution
- Alley Bar (Orchard Road) – reader’s contribution on Facebook
- Aloy Thai (Shaw Tower) – reader’s contribution
- Arteastiq (Mandarin Gallery) – reader’s contribution
- Astons Specialties (all outlets) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Bali Thai (Novena Square & Tampines Mall) – personal experience & reader’s contribution
- Bao Luo Wan Xiang (Plaza Singapura) – reader’s contribution
- Bar Bar Black Sheep (Robertson Quay) (no service charge) – reader’s contribution
- Barcelos (VivoCity) (no service charge) – reader’s contribution
- BBQ Chicken (Cathay Cineleisure Orchard) – reader’s contribution
- Bliss Waterfront Dining & Bar (Punggol Park) – reader’s contribution
- Blu (Shangri-La Hotel) – reader’s contribution
- Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice (Bukit Timah) – personal experience
Our review - Café Le Caire (Arab Street) – reader’s contribution
Restaurant’s response in news article - Canopy Cafe (Marina Bay Golf Course) – reader’s contribution
- Canton-i (Ion Orchard) – reader’s contribution
- The Cathay Restaurant (The Cathay) – reader’s contribution
- Casa do Churrasco Brazil (Katong Village) – source
- Central Restaurant (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
- Check In (Robertson Quay) – reader’s contribution
- Chen Fu Ji Grains (The Central) – reader’s contribution
- Coffee Club (Orchard Fountain Corner) – reader’s contribution
- Creative Organics (Fortune Centre) – reader’s contribution
- Crystal Jade Hong Kong Café (Orchard Central & Liang Seah Street) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Crystal Jade Kitchen (Causeway Point, Ngee Ann City & Suntec City Mall) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3
- Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (Bugis Junction, Great World City, Holland Avenue, Ngee Ann City & Suntec City Mall) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Our reviews 1 | 2 - Diandin Leluk Thai Restaurant (Serangoon Garden) – reader’s contribution
- Different Taste Café and Restaurant (Frankel Avenue & Jalan Mas Puteh) (no service charge) – sources 1 | 2
- Ebisboshi Shotengai (Iluma) – reader’s contribution
- Esmirada (CHIJMES) – reader’s contribution
- First Thai Food (Purvis Street) – reader’s contribution
- Five Izakaya Bar (Hitachi Tower) – reader’s contribution
- Fou de Fafa (Capital Tower) – reader’s contribution
- Fiesta Brasilia (United Square) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Gelare Café (Hougang Mall) – reader’s contribution
- Giraffe Restaurant and Bar (Istana Park) – reader’s contribution
Our review - Haato (Ridgewood Close) – reader’s contribution
- Heaven’s Loft (Orchard Central) – reader’s contribution
- The Highlander Bar & Restaurant (Clarke Quay) – reader’s contribution
- Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant (VivoCity) – reader’s contribution
Our review - Hot Tomato Express (Plaza Singapura) – reader’s contribution
- Hotpot Culture (Marina Square) – reader’s contribution
- Huber’s Butchery & Bistro (Dempsey Hill) – reader’s contribution
- Imperial Herbal Restaurant & Tcafe (VivoCity) – reader’s contribution
- Insomnia (CHIJMES) – reader’s contribution
- Introbar (Swissotel The Stamford) – reader’s contribution
- Jalapeno’s Pepper (Singapore Flyer) – sources 1 | 2 | 3
- Joaquim Buffet Restaurant (Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contribution
- Kartini Restaurant (Parkway Parade) – reader’s contribution
- Kebab Station (East Coast Park & Parkway Parade) (no service charge) – personal experience
Our review - Kenny Rogers Roasters (Great World City, Marina Square & Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contributions 1 | 2
- Kim Choo Kueh Chang (East Coast) (no service charge) – sources 1 | 2 | 3
- Kintamani Indonesian Restaurant (Furama Riverfront Hotel) – personal experience
- La Forketta (Dempsey) – sources 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Restaurant’s response in news article & here - Lai Lai Casual Dining (Jurong Point) – reader’s contribution
- Lao Beijing (Novena Square) – reader’s contribution
- Le Baroque (CHIJMES) – reader’s contribution
- Lerk Thai (Singapore Expo & Woodlands Civic Centre) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Little Bali (Gillman’s Village) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Restaurant’s response - Liquid Kitchen (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
- Lush Cafe (313 @ Somerset) – reader’s contribution
- Mad Jack Café (all outlets) (no service charge) – personal experience
Restaurant’s response in news article - Midsummer Nite Breeze (Pasir Ris Park) – sources 1 | 2
- Mimolette Restaurant & Bar (Fairways Drive) – reader’s contribution
- Ming Kee Live Seafood (Macpherson Road) – reader’s contribution
- MOF (Ministry of Food) (Suntec City Mall & West Coast Plaza) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- The Mussel Guys (VivoCity) – personal experience
Our review - My Mum’s Cuisine (Paragon) – reader’s contribution
- Nan Xiang (Novena Square 2) – reader’s contribution
- Nando’s (Bugis Junction & Tanglin Mall) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Nectarie le’Dessert Patisserie (Clarke Quay) – sources 1 | 2
- New Harbour Café & Bar (Tanjong Pagar) – reader’s contribution
- No Signboard Seafood Restaurant (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
- Novus (National Museum) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- OK Shabu Shabu (East Coast Road) – reader’s contribution
- Old Hong Kong Kitchen (Square 2) – reader’s contribution
- Old Town White Coffee (all outlets) – personal experience & readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Our review - Oosters Belgian Brasserie (Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contribution
- Pacific Allied Cafe (URA Centre) – reader’s contribution
- Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant (One Fullerton) – reader’s contribution
- Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore (Siglap) – reader’s contribution
- Pasta Stylo (City Square Mall) – personal experience
Our review - Pizza Bar da Donato (Ghim Moh) – reader’s contribution
- Pizza da Donato (Sixth Avenue) – reader’s contribution
- Prince Taiwan Porridge (Upper Bukit Timah) – reader’s contribution
- Pu Tien (Tampines Mall) – reader’s contribution
- The Pump Room (Clarke Quay) – reader’s contribution
- Ramen Ten (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
- Red Lacquer Authentic Penang Peranakan (Jurong Point) – personal experience
- Renaldo’s (Eastwood Centre) – reader’s contribution
- Renn Thai (Clarke Quay) – reader’s contribution
- Royal Café (Siglap) – reader’s contribution
- Secret Recipe (all outlets) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3
- Seoul Garden (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
- Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant (VivoCity) – reader’s contribution
- The Shack (Sentosa’s Tanjong Beach) – reader’s contribution
- Skinny Pizza (Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contribution
- Soup Spoon (all outlets) (no service charge) – reader’s contribution
- Suanthai (Killiney Road) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Sweet Spring (AMK Hub) – reader’s contribution
- Table 108 (CHIJMES) – reader’s contribution
- The Tapas Tree (Clarke Quay) – personal experience & source
Restaurant’s response in news article - Tawandang Micro Brewery (Dempsey Road) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Tori-Tama (Robertson Walk) – reader’s contribution
- Uncle’s Kitchen (Bugis Junction) – reader’s contribution
- Va Va Voom (Seah Street) – sources 1 | 2
- Wan Chai Hong Kong Tea Room (Sembawang Shopping Centre) – reader’s contribution
- Ximending (VivoCity) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
- Xin Wang Hong Kong Café (all outlets) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3
Our review - Xing Hua Family Restaurant (Towner Road) – reader’s contribution
Disclaimer: This list is compiled based on reader contributions and our own dining experiences. All comments and sources are linked for your reference. While we have taken steps to ensure the information presented is current, you may still wish to double-check with the restaurants if they have updated their no-water policy. If you notice any discrepancy, please let us know and we would gladly make the amendments.
To restaurateurs that do not serve free water: Wouldn’t you want your customers to keep coming back? If giving them water, even tap is fine, would improve their dining experience, why wouldn’t you do it? Isn’t that better than pissing off potential customers that would never return? Just how much is a glass of tap water gonna cost you anyway?
Let us exercise our right as a customer and not give in to such practices that exist only to milk more money out of us. Should you encounter such a restaurant, feel free to
- Walk out of the restaurant.
- Blacklist and stop patronising the place.
- Tell your friends about it.
- Leave a comment here and we would add it to the list.
Hopefully in some small way, it would prompt restaurateurs to stop this penny-wise, pound-foolish practice.
Spread the word!
In the press
July 12, 2009
The Sunday Times has published an article based on this list. We have made it available here for your reading (in PDF format):
Much of the article has been written from the perspective of these restaurants, along with several comments from the stakeholders. We would love to hear your views.
We do like the quote by Mr. Aun Koh that sums up this no-water policy perfectly:
Mr Aun Koh, director of media and lifestyle consultancy Ate Media which published Asia’s first restaurant guide The Miele Guide, said: ‘In Singapore, there is no excuse other than snobbish vanity to drink bottled water and no reason other than an attempt to increase revenues for restaurateurs to refuse to offer tap water to their patrons.’
July 14, 2009
Following the Sunday Times article, waves of comments came pouring in, starting with this one. If you are following the highly active discussion, that would be a good place to start.
In response to the article, Sunday Times reader Mr. Cassell R. Meyers has written in to the forum to share his own personal views and experience.
August 13, 2009
The Today newspaper published an article on the harmful impact of bottled water, primarily from the discarding of plastic bottles. Here’s a quote from the article:
Dr Seetharam Kallidaikurichi, director of the Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said: ‘the public should be made aware of the “unnecessary” buying of bottled water for drinking, especially in places where tap water is safe to drink, such as in houses and restaurants. This is because such a practice can turn into a habit and this will lead to even more plastic bottles being used – and discarded.’
Jul 13, 2009
6
Crystal Jade Kitchen in Suntec City Mall
I think i posted this but i didnt see it so im just gonna post it again. Very annoyed when people dont serve free water.
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Added Crystal Jade Kitchen. At this rate I think all their restaurants would eventually go on the list.
Jul 13, 2009
1
Hi, I’m quite glad that someone took up the initiative to compile this list. I took the liberty of reposting your list on my blog (http://miachenyze.livejournal.com/8907.html) in case you’re ever forced to take it down! With credits of course. (=
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Oh sure. There are changes to this list daily so be sure to keep a lookout!
Jul 13, 2009
3
Ming Kee Live Seafood, macpherson. they justify it by saying there is no service charge
Jul 14, 2009
3472
Added this. Thank you.
Jul 13, 2009
1
thanks for the list.
just a few comments:
timbre does serve free ice water — at least the one at arts house where i go every now and then.
and recently when i went to pu tien at kitchener road, i had free water served when i asked.
Jul 14, 2009
2
Yes,To correct, Timbre does serve ice water but it’s only for 1 round.
and is the Facebook group started yet? Do post up the link!
And Veron, navigating through your comments is quite a hassle.. maybe you wanna have a post all comments view in a single page/numeric pages to scroll to a specific page!
Jul 15, 2009
3472
Sure, I will remove Timbre for now, although there have been several complaints about them on HungryGoWhere. But unless someone else leaves a comment about them, I’ll keep them off the list.
About Pu Tien, there is feedback that the one at Tampines Mall charges for tap water. Last month Lianhe Wanbao ran an article on this topic and interviewed the owner, who admitted that they don’t serve free tap water. They may have changed?
Jul 14, 2009
3
Bravo to you Ms. Ang – heard about your article from the ST. Unless free speech is so challenged here, you should be able to post such information. Anyway, it’s in Yum and HungryGoWhere anyway, many of us post the water story there, it’s nothing new.
The ST had some pretty bizarre responses, from La Forketta’s manager who moronically ascertained that “….it’s the customer on a budget who insists on tap water…”, which is nonsense that no one would fall for. I regularly insist on tap water with my usual glass or two of wine with dinner, and if it were to be refused, I would simply never return, tell friends, and log it in Yum and HungyGoWhere.
The really mindboggling comm net was from Mad Jack’s, who actually seems to believe that people who complain about not getting tap water are not educated, when actually it’s the other way around. A perfect display of Kiasu-ism in motion, and for that alone I would never give them my business.
Restaurant operators – never, ever, never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth on your business, and how being ignorant and penny-wise will make you dollar-foolish. Your business depends on you getting over yourselves.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
Right on about the power of word-of-mouth. A happy customer tells one friend about it. An unhappy customer tells everyone.
You know what’s funny about their comments? Their attempts to defend their stand has drawn more flak than the mere fact that they don’t serve free water.
Jul 14, 2009
14
No free water but was charged to boot.
Teochew Garden at United Square. Visited it some years back. No longer go there so don’t know whether they still exist or still there and don’t care. When there, my family of 7 requested for water. Served a teapot of warm water. Shocked to be saddled with a bill of $5. Serving staff explained it is standard bill for warm water with/without tea leaves as I queried the bill item for chinese tea.
Wee Nam Kee at Toa Payoh – My friend was charged $1 each for a glass of water for his MIL and son.
Perhaps you want to publish this juicy bit as a separate post and invite readers to contribute. Note: We never revisited the 2 places above for sometime now due to the unpleasant incident.
Note that Teochew Garden may have moved as I found it no longer listed at United Square
Anyway, Veron, above two items are listed to start the ball rolling.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
Added Wee Nam Kee.
I googled and found that Teochew Garden is now at Beach Road. Not sure if they still have that ridiculous pricing for water though.
Jul 14, 2009
2
The response from The Tapas Tree Group showed such arrogance and ignorance. Even though I have not visited the place before, I would personally hesitate to patronise the outlet, given their attitude towards customers and feedback.
Instead of reflecting on what can be improved, they went into threatening to sue. Should they not look at themselves in the mirror and asked what they have done to create such negative perceptions.
Whatever is shared on the web is informational and if there is a discrepancy in the information, communicate to change it. Do not take the high road to seek legal action, which is by the way, groundless to begin with. And, is this the kind of marketing strategy the establishment is employing? Intuitively, it does not seem like a win-win approach, nor customer-centric in any way.
We are all discerning patrons and we will decide which establishments sincerely offer great customer experience. For now, I am not sure if Tapas Tree Group is in this “good” list. If Tapas is truly a great place to visit, it has to show it is sincere to engage the customers, work on the feedback and show they deserve the vote of confidence. The way of legal actions is never the right way to proper resolution. On the contrary, it will create even more dissent towards Tapas Tree. Unfortunately, this is what is happening now.
Jul 14, 2009
2
Once I find out that a restaurant charges for water, I refuse to go back.
Jul 14, 2009
2
I ate at Novus this weekend and was rudely blown off by the waitress when I asked why she couldn’t serve water.
Oct 19, 2009
2
i’ve eaten there twice and they just served me water without any fuzz. maybe because we were the only couple in the whole restaurant on both occasions.
Jul 14, 2009
2
actually, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (Taka Branch), also charge for water..
i was not feeling well that day & requested for warm water. was informed that the policy was started not too long ago.. previously, they serve water foc
Jul 15, 2009
3472
I’m not surprised if the Crystal Jade group adopt the same policy across all their restaurants. Thanks for sharing!
Jul 15, 2009
2
however, i find that it depends on the staff.. cos there was a woman lunching alone next to my table.. she was unable to finish her meals & request for take-away. after she settled the bill & while waiting for the food to be packed, she asked for water but it wasn’t charged!!
Jul 15, 2009
3472
The staff must have been very kind and did not have the heart to give her a second bill just for the water. I think that’s great!
Jul 14, 2009
1
The Shack at Tajong Beach. Fuji mineral water only.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
Added The Shack. Is that a new place?
Jul 14, 2009
1
Crystal jade kitchen at causeway. A few months back, I ordered 2 glasses of water and the waitress who served me did not tell me it was not free. I forgot whether it cost $0.5 or $1 per cup.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
I think we all need to be careful when visiting Chinese restaurants. There are tons of hidden charges in the things you never ask for — wet napkins, small plates of peanuts, tea, etc. Sometimes it’s so tiring to keep up.
Jul 14, 2009
6
today’s STimes just reported on our ‘home’ section that 50cents can give you 850 glasses of tap water or 1 bottle of mineral water. 850 glasses!
stingy restaurants must be boycotted.
Jul 14, 2009
3
One question, as there are so many unanimous opinions here – is this information getting back to the the Tapas Trees, Forkettas, Mad Jack’s, etc.?
They really should know the vox populi. That is is some like the Forketta manager hasn’t been fired yet.
I’d be up for sending them this like, or letting the ST know to do a follow-up.
Jul 14, 2009
3
like=link
Jul 14, 2009
6
Royal Café in Siglap is affiliated with The Pie Factory but the sign board outside is just Royal Cafe. There is no mention of The Pie Factory anywhere.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
Got it. I have added Royal Café :)
Jul 14, 2009
3
Why does some restaurant so worried to let people know that they don’t serve free water? I fully support you to expose all these places, and since it is true that they charge for water, what’s there to sued about being on the list?
We should also start a list of places that overcharged and provide bad services.
from fran9ipani.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
That’s actually one of the things on my mind, to start a list of “craptastic” restaurants that are simply bad. But it may not be as clear-cut because there are many aspects to consider as to what constitutes a crappy restaurant… bad attitude, ridiculously priced food, poor service, etc.
Jan 12, 2011
1
Great job on the list!
I think a list of crappy restaurants would be very welcome, especially the ones with bad service. But since this would be subjective, perhaps the title of the post can be more implicit? And each entry could be justified with what happened and perhaps even the specific waiter’s name so that readers could judge for themselves?
Thank you once again for the great list, and even more so for your initiative!
Jul 14, 2009
1
good job with the listing. i think it’s important to exercise our rights and its just greed that’s stopping the food outlets from serving tap water that really doesn’t cost them much
keep it up!!
:)
Jul 14, 2009
3
There was a famous Indonesian restaurant in the east used to serve free water then one of the idiot business partner suggest to serve only bottle water and whether you like it or not, once you sit down everyone is serve with one bottle but without telling you they are chargeable, the portion is also getting really small and because most aunty worker is family member their service are really bad…
Jul 15, 2009
3472
That reminds me of what they do at many Chinese restaurants and oh, Bali Thai too. They serve you little plates of chips or peanuts automatically without letting you know they are chargeable. And those things cost a few dollars each.
Jul 23, 2009
57
I didn’t get any of those unwanted extra condiments at Bali Thai at Ion Orchard, yesterday. Which store gave you that?
Jul 23, 2009
3472
My friend and I visited the outlet at Tampines Mall some time late last year. The waitress automatically placed some unwanted stuff that we didn’t ask for on our table. I am not sure if there was the plate of peanuts, but for sure we got the basket of keropok that we were later charged $2 or $3 for.
Jul 14, 2009
1
when you are in japan, once you enter a restaurant the waiter will serve u a glass of water before taking your order. At the restaurant Marutama in Singapore, the whole jug of water is there, you can just help yourself with it.Off course the first glass they fill for you. Don’t know why Singapore restaurant can’t follow what the Jap are doing…
In Malaysia, you can always ask for a glass of sky juice which means water to them. They know the term SKY JUICE. Singaporean restaurant are tend to be stingy.
Like Bakerzin the one at Vivo, they can reduce the lightning at the restaurant because that branch is totally too bright which do not need to on so many lights in the daytime at all…moreover Singapore govt try to promote GAIA…. That bakerzin branch on so many lights, how to save $$$$. Use the money to give water better still. No one ask them to give the guests with filtered water. all lies…only think about profit. I will definitely boycott those restaurants
Jul 14, 2009
1
Totally behind you regarding this list.
Was appalled by the arrogant comment by Ms Vitale of La Forketta in the Sunday Times. Her comment just accentuated her arrogance and ignorance. While I have to agree that the quality of food is good there, I am going to boycott that place. She obviously has not seen much of the world or read widely for the matter. UK has some law that requires restaurants to serve tap water when asked by customers. The French are extremely open to tap water as well. Never had any problems at the restaurants in Scandinavia too.
Totally appalled and disgusted by her comment. Will make an effort to boycott places which do not serve tap water. Excuses excuses excuses.